We all have dry
periods--times when we just don’t seem to produce much or even have the impulse
to participate. Call it what you want:
depression, distraction, a creative block.
I hit a long period between December and April where I found it was very
difficult to do many paintings. Much of this
was due to personal and family illnesses. Most of the
time when I feel this way, “just showing up for work”, as they say, has been
sufficient to get me over the hump. What
I mean is that just going to the easel and the process of starting a painting
has been enough to get me going. It wasn’t working this time. So I had to come
up with some other ways to motivate myself, to “rev the engine”.
Here are some
practices that helped me:
- Play with something new that doesn’t require much
planning. Don’t place any obstacle
in your way. Get out what you have
easily available. I got out tissue
paper, glue, a board and a little fast drying acrylic paint. I just started pasting down colorful torn
paper. The results- two collages based on an egg theme (It was around
Easter, so the theme came easily.)
Fresh Eggs 8 x 10 mixed media Available here
- Doodle or sketch in a small notebook with just charcoal or pencils or markers. Be a surrealist! Draw things from your imagination. Keep it simple, no pressure. This can be right in your own home. It’s about seeing and dreaming, not producing.
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| This is a sketch that resulted in the painting "The Original Nook" |
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| Unplanned doodling |
- Make jewelry. Jewelry is good because it’s small and you see progress quickly. I started another copper link bracelet. You can congratulate yourself on a few inches of work. Honestly, I haven’t gotten much more accomplished since last month, but I’m not worried. I’ve got my enthusiasm back!
You
can make a lot of different costume jewelry with collage materials or by reassembling
scrap jewelry. You’ll be calling on many of the same art principles you use in
other work, but doing it on a small scale.
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| The beginning of a flower chain bracelet. |
- Visit galleries and museums and allow other artists to stimulate you.
I can’t say I
enjoy these fallow periods, but I often come through them into a more creative
period afterwards. I am grateful for the renewal.
If you have
ways to restart your engine, please share them with me.
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My paintings are available at my
studio in Cary, NC, online at Sheffield Art Studio and at my Daily Paintworks Gallery (see also clickable link above right)
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